Educational Activities

Construction Cam

When looking at the construction site with your child, play a game of "I Spy". For this version of the game, try to find all the triangles at the construction. Once all examples of triangles have been found, try to find all things that are in the shape of the letter "I" (girders).

Once you have finished exploring the construction site, utilize straws to make triangles like seen on the camera. Push on the corners of the triangles what happens? Challenge your child to guess why the triangle does not buckle under the pressure.

Try the same process, but fold two pieces of paper into the letter "U". Paste the letters back to back to make an "I" beam or paper girder. Try to balance objects of different mass on top of the beam. How much mass can the paper beam support?

Ontario Curriculum Connections:

Children will find out what is involved in the construction of tall buildings. They will also see cranes swinging, concrete being poured and people busily working high up in the sky!

This game meets many expectations in multiple grades, one of which is:

Investigate strong and stable structures to determine how their design and materials enable them to perform their load-bearing function.

At-Home Activities:

Take a walk in your local park or neighbourhood. What other structures have triangles or girders as part of its design?

Search the internet together and find some of the world's famous bridges. Find video of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge that collapsed due to wind vibrations.

Use scissors, tape, glue, paper, skewers, straws and construct different structures at home. Make a bridge with your child that will span across two chairs.Will it support a deck of playing cards? Will it twist or rattle if you blow across it?